Chapter 6

Here we are folks
The dream we all dream off
Boy versus girl in the World Series of love

Hyde tried not to think about it much. That day at the party, after she had kissed him, he was so nervous he didn't know how he should act. Jackie had kissed him, and it was great. It was only for a few moments but it was unlike any other kiss he'd had before. Her lips were so soft and even though they hadn't gotten into full on making out, it was still hot and had an effect on him like no other.

He couldn't figure out if her emotional state at the time was the only reason it even happened or if she really wanted to do what she did. He had never been nervous around girls or even as worked up over a girl.

When they finally spoke at the party he played it cool, despite the pinch like sensation in his chest he felt when he heard her say they should just forget it. Still, he never let on that he was maybe a bit disappointed at her statement. So they were back to normal, hanging out in the basement, circle time, and even sharing a little more personnel details with one another.

Hyde was sitting on the back end of his El Camino in the school parking lot. They were into their third week of the school year and he had established his daily routine for the year. So he waited in his car as he did every day and prepared for the newly familiar feeling which came about when she came into view.

It wasn't unusual for Jackie to be followed by several people as she made her way out of school. She was the hot new chick who got the attention of the school male population, which made the girls flock to her as well. It annoyed him, though he had been getting used to it, but on this particular day he noticed something different.

Instead of Jackie walking out with a group of drooling guys or giddy girls, she walked with only one other person. Mike Jameson was the star pitcher on Varsity baseball. There hadn't been a girl in school yet who'd been able to resist his charms. Behind his dark sunglasses Hyde watched as Jackie laughed at whatever it was Mike was saying to her.

Damn why does he have to talk right in here ear. She's not deaf

Hyde thought annoyed at the closeness between the two of them. Refusing to acknowledge his own jealousy he watched someone else move in on Jackie

U walked in, I woke up
I never seen a pretty girl
Look so tough, baby
U got that look

As Jackie walked through the halls to the parking lot she was joined by the most persistent of her current suitors. Jackie had been bombarded with attention from the guys at Point Place High. After a few weeks she realized she hadn't let herself get to know any of them. She let them follow her around and she would laugh at their jokes. At the Hub she accepted when they offered to buy her a soda or fries. Even at the parties she let them get her beer. In all the situations she always ended up leaving to hang out with Hyde. As much fun as she had with Hyde she had to accept the fact that "friends" was all they'd ever be. Plus she liked dating and she missed it. She was good at it.

Looking up she saw Hyde waiting in his car for her and she felt her face light up instantly. Everyday this happened and it wasn't as if she didn't already know he was waiting there.

"Well thanks for walking me out but my ride's waiting" Jackie gestured Hyde's way.

"Oh yeah, I seen you and Hyde hanging together. You guys pretty tight?"

"Yeah we're good friends?" She confirmed.

"Just friends?" he asked raising his eyebrow assuming more.

"Please its strange enough we're even friends" Jackie pointed out.

"You have a point" Mike laughed. "So can I call you sometime?"

Jackie thought for a second. He was kind of cute, sorta funny. Why not?
So she grabbed a pen from her purse and without a word took his hand writing her number before walking away.

"Hey" Jackie smiled as she slid into the passenger seat.

"Hey" Hyde responded without looking her way appearing angry at her.

She didn't say anything the ride home and he began to feel guilty knowing she would be hurt if she thought he was mad at her. He had no reason to be mad, she didn't owe him any explanation, and she didn't deserve to be treated unfairly.

"So, how'd you do on that quiz you were freaking out about" His voice eased her immediately and she smiled with relief that he wasn't mad at her.

"Oh, yeah when I saw the questions I was relieved. I studied all the right stuff"

"Yeah especially since you studied everything" he looked over at her with a disapproving look. "Who'd have guessed he be friends with a teeny bopper school girl."

"Hey I can't help it" she whined. "I'm gonna need to have perfect grades so I get a scholarship or no college for me"

"Who would volunteer for school once they've just served out their sentence?"

"I bet you'd like college" she ignored his question while looking at him confident with her statement.

"What? You're crazy" he denied. "You'd have to be to sign up for more crap at these institutional learning facilities, after 12 years of this shit"

"It's not the same as high school Steven. Plus, you like to learn, that's why you're so smart"

"Jackie what are you talking about I'm the biggest slacker in this school, ask anyone"

"Fine Steven, have it your way. I know I'm right, and really that's all that matters" Jackie said annoyed when he didn't give himself more credit.

He knew Jackie held him in high regard as far as intelligence. She had this idea in her head that he could accomplish anything. Where the hell did that come from. She barely knew him for a few months and already had this weird faith in him. But then again a lot of things had been freaking him out lately especially anything concerning Jackie. He had found himself having developed this friendship with someone who he'd never expect to even be able to hold a conversation with. Fact was no one had even looked at him as much of anything before.

Sure Red and Kitty and it meant a lot that they did but it was different with his friends. Where as he knew Donna and Eric respected Hyde's opinion and considered him a independent resourceful type, he knew they had their doubts about how his future would turn out. Jackie was different though, she honestly believed in him and it was a great feeling, but also an unfamiliar one.

So he did what he usually did when faced with uncomfortable situations. He changed the subject.

"So this weekend is that party at the lake after the game, which I'm not going to so don't ask" he added quickly. Jackie rolled her eyes at him. "So are we gonna go?" He asked expecting the standard response of yes.

"Oh well, that guy Mike" she hesitated feeling nervous and not sure why. "Well he said maybe we might go out this weekend, he's gonna call me so I might go with him"

Brief silence followed but felt like forever.

"Oh" Hyde knew he had to respond and that was all he could think of. "Well maybe I'll see you there"

They were pulling in to the driveway where the rest of the gang was playing basketball.

"Hey guys" Jackie smiled casually joining Donna who had switched places with Hyde in the game.

"So how was your cheer meeting?" Donna asked, with a teasing tone. "I mean like what's the hot gossip I wanna hear all about it"

"Shut up like I pay attention to those morons' stupid stories" Jackie said as Donna stared at her unconvinced. "Ok I do sometimes but only when they're really juicy. Besides I have news of my own."

"Dying to hear it" Donna urged her to continue while maintaining the same tone.

"Well, so I was walking out with Mike after school and he asked me if I wanted to go out sometime. So I figured I've been dateless for long enough and I said yeah"

"Oh well, that's cool. Mike's cute and he has that whole star pitcher thing going for him" Donna had a dash a skepticism in her voice.

"I sense a 'but' coming on"

"Well, where was Hyde?" Donna asked hesitantly.

"In the car waiting for me" Jackie answered nonchalantly but knew where this was going

"Did he see you with Mike?"

"Donna what does this have to do with anything?" Jackie groaned feeling herself becoming aggravated.

"Cause I don't know " she looked at the guys confirming they were still into their game and lowered her voice. "I just thought you and Hyde were getting somewhere. I mean you spend all your time with him"

"Donna look" Jackie lowered her voice as well to be discreet. "I admit I like Steven, ok I told you this in confidence. I like Steven a lot ok, but me and him aren't anything more than friends"

"Yeah but I really think he,"

"No Donna look, I'm not gonna throw myself at him, again" She cut off her persistent cousin mid sentence. "I deserve to have fun and date and I can't do any of that with Steven"

Donna nodded with understanding and acceptance.
"Ok fine, I won't say anything else about it. You're right and I won't mention it again"

"Thank you. So anyways I have a date" she repeated as if to start fresh. "It's no big deal, we're pretty much just going to the party together after the game"

"Well it's a start, you haven't been on a date since you've been here"

"Thank you Donna for reminding me"
Donna only laughed at her. Eventually Jackie joined in on amused with Donna's goofiness.

"Hey what's so funny" Eric walked over after he and Kelso lost to Fez and Hyde.

"Nothing, just preparing Jackie for her reunion with the dating scene"

"Oh really" Eric shared a look with Donna briefly. "Who do you have a date with?"

"Mike Jameson" Jackie answered very aware of the fact that He and Donna were both trying to sneak a reaction from Hyde. Jackie didn't understand why they couldn't realize what she already had. He doesn't care. He didn't see her in that way.
"Any way it's not a big deal. We're just going to the party together probably" she tried to take the focus off her date.

"Well that's good that way we can all make sure that bastard doesn't try to get frisky" Fez assured Jackie while putting his arm around her protectively

"Thanks Fez" she smiled at his concern.

"Well unless we're gonna continue yapping about Jackie's highly anticipated night" Hyde spoke up, voice dripping with sarcasm. "I say we head to the Hub or something I'm hungry"

"I second that" Kelso yelled as usual. Eventually they were all moving toward the cars. Jackie naturally getting in the car with Hyde quietly. On the drive there, they didn't say much to one another. She felt silly about the thoughts that were going through her head.

He's like that all the time. It has nothing to do with me. It's not like he's jealous cause he could care less. Why do I keep thinking there's a shot when there's not? I just want to be over this already. He is my friend that's all

"You buying right" he swatted her leg playfully to catch her attention.

"Yeah, it's my turn right" she answered with the wise ass tone they used with one another.
He smirked, his eyes remaining on the road, while her stayed on him a few moments longer.

Yup that's all

Here we are folks
The dream we all dream of